Digest of stories from The Luton News: Thursday, November 23rd, 1916.

Mayor's Sunday is, very properly, an important day in any civic calendar, for it is the day set apart when the Chief Magistrate and his municipal colleagues collectively seek spiritual guidance in their local administration during the ensuing year.

Atmospherically, last Sunday was decidedly not all that could have been wished. It was a bleak November morning with a penetrating and persistent drizzle of rain. In all other respects, it was an inspiring function. His Worship the Mayor (Alderman J. H. Staddon) received the loyal support of the Council and officials, and, as usual, the Fire Brigade joined in the procession. But this year that procession was considerably augmented by the attendance of some 60 of the special constabulary, as well as by many members of the Police Force under the direction of the Chief Constable (Mr David Teale).

A fairly large assembly of townspeople congregated in the vicinity of the Town Hall to witness the departure of the Mayor en route for Waller Street Wesleyan Church, where a large congregation heard a sermon delivered by the Superintendent of the Circuit, the Rev E. Lightwood Smith.

• The 5,000 shillings which the Luton News and Saturday Telegraph set out to secure in support of the Daily News and Daily Telegraph fund being run at the request of the Army Council to supply every Tommy serving in the fighting areas with a time-honoured Christmas plum pudding at the festive season has been realised. The welcome announcement has been made this week that not only will the wounded in base and clearing hospitals on the various fronts be included, but every hospital at home having wounded soldiers as their patients at Christmas will share in the distribution.

• The Christmas pudding fund took a wonderful leap forward this week thanks to the employees of Messrs George Kent Ltd. The response from the huge works in Biscot Road and at Chaul End is indeed a remarkable one - £73 2s 6d. It was a response such as is unparalleled for any single week's effort at these works. The overall total donated to the fund in Luton stood at 6,0002 shillings.

• Considerable delay was caused to the up trains on the Midland Railway on Monday morning as a result of the Scottish express, due at Bedford at 6.30, coming into collision with an empty passenger train at Oakley junction, about four miles north of Bedford Railway Station. Some damage was done to the latter train, several coaches being derailed, but no deaths or serious injuries are reported.

• Lieut Archie Young, who, prior to obtaining his commission in the Bedfordshire Battalion was employed at the Capital and Counties Bank, Luton, was home on leave from France last week, and returned to the Front on Saturday.

• On Wednesday last week there passed away quietly in her sleep, Mrs Hill of Wandon End. Deceased, the oldest inhabitant in the parish, had travelled to Breachwood Green two days before to celebrate her 90th birthday with one of her daughters. Interment took place at Breachwood Green Baptist Church burial ground.

• Mrs Bennett, of 78 Russell Rise, Luton, has received good news of her husband, Sapper H. Bennett, who, formerly employed at the Luton Post Office, is now a telegraphist in the Royal Engineers with the British force in East Africa. He is hoping to make a visit home at Christmas.

• A searching examination was undergone at the Luton Bankruptcy Court on Thursday by straw hat manufacturer Frederick Charles Batley, aged 38, of 201 Castle Street. Bad debts and a fire which occurred at the manufacturing premises at Williamson Street were given as causes of the failure. The total deficiency was £842 15s 4d. In reply to the Receiver, he said there was absolutely not a copper available for the payment of his debts, and he could not see any prospects of paying his creditors anything. The case was adjourned to enable the debtor to file a cash account, showing what he did with £300 compensation for the fire.

• Names added to the roll of honour: Sub-Lieut Eric William Squires (R.N.D.R.), Pte Samuel Stokes (Northamptonshire Regiment), Pte Sidney Charles Worboys (Middlesex Regiment) and Sgt Peter Pieraccini (Beds Regiment).